Enlightenment and Revolution

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The Enlightenment Main Idea European thinkers developed new ideas about government and society during the Enlightenment.

Reading Focus • How was the Enlightenment influenced by reason?

• What new views did philosophers have about government? • What new views did philosophers have about society? • How did Enlightenment spread?

Enlightenment and Revolution

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The Age of Reason Scientific Revolution convinced many European thinkers about power of reason • Scientific method and reason led to discoveries about physical world

• Wondered if reason could be used to study human nature, society – New generation of philosophers, 1600s

– Viewed reason as best way to understand truth – Concluded reason could be used to solve all human problems

– This time of optimism now called the Enlightenment

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Enlightenment and Revolution

The Age of Reason Ideas of Enlightenment • Educated people throughout Europe, beyond, inspired • Held notion that world problems could be solved • New ideas debated in coffeehouses, public spaces • Writers published ideas in books, magazines, pamphlets

Peak of Enlightenment • Reached peak in 1700s

• Paris, center of intellectual activity • Parisian women hosted social gatherings, salons • Philosophers, artists, scientists, writers regularly discussed ideas

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New Views on Society Some Enlightenment philosophers focused on government, others on issues in society • Francois-Marie Arouet, wrote as Voltaire • Outspoken philosopher, wrote with biting wit – Attacked injustice among nobility, government, church – Created enemies, imprisoned twice – Exiled to England for two years – Defended principles, fought superstition, ignorance

– Lifelong struggle for justice, toleration, liberty

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Enlightenment and Revolution

New Views on Society Diderot • French philosopher • Determined in mid-1700s to try to compile great expansion of human knowledge into a single work

Lifelong work • Worked on Encyclopedia 27 years, last volume published 1772 • Spread Enlightenment ideas across Europe, North America

Encyclopedia • Diderot’s extensive 35-volume work, to promote knowledge • Explained new ideas about art, science, government, religion

Attacks by French leaders • Criticisms of church, government, legal system • Tried to stop publication, 1759 • Last volumes completed in secret, but immediate success

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Mary Wollstonecraft • Enlightenment thinkers still held traditional views about women

• Proper roles wives, mothers; should receive limited education • Wollstonecraft demanded equal rights for women • A Vindication of the Rights of Woman, equal education for women

Adam Smith • Scottish economist, used reason to analyze economic systems • The Wealth of Nations advanced free market enterprise • Strong believer in laissez-faire economics, no government regulation • Believed economy would be stronger if market forces of supply and demand were allowed to work freely

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Enlightenment Ideas Spread The spirit of optimism quickly spread throughout Europe. A few monarchs became enlightened despots, changing their systems of government and ruling according to Enlightenment ideas.

Prussia

Reforms

• Frederick II, had duty to rule with absolute power

• Elementary education for all children

• Also strongly influenced by ideas of Voltaire

• Abolished torture

• Built powerful military, introduced reforms

• Supported most forms of religious tolerance

• Reduced censorship

Limitations • No religious tolerance for Jews • Opposed serfdom, did not abolish • Did not make reforms to achieve justice but to make own rule more powerful

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Enlightenment Ideas Spread Russia • Catherine II became ruler, 1762 • Dreamed of establishing order, justice, supporting education, culture • Read works of, corresponded with Voltaire, Diderot

Reforms • Drafted Russian constitution, code of laws • Considered too liberal, never put into practice

Limitations • Intended to free serfs, but would lose support of wealthy landowners • Catherine had no intention of giving up power • Became tyrant, imposed serfdom on more Russians than ever before

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Enlightenment Ideas Spread Most radical enlightened despot, Austria • Joseph II, became emperor 1780 • Ambitious reform program – Eliminated torture, death penalty – Provided free food, medicine for poor

– Granted religious tolerance to Protestants and Jews – Abolished serfdom, laborers to be paid

• Changes resisted by nobility, church

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Enlightenment and Revolution

Enlightenment Ideas Spread Challenged Beliefs • • • • •

Writers, philosophers questioned ideas long held as absolute truth Challenged beliefs in absolute monarchies Questioned relationship between church and sate Debated rules and rights of people in society Promoted ideas reformers and revolutionaries would later use to change society

Reforms • Belief in progress spurred many to enact reforms • Believed reason could solve any problem, debated ways to make society more just • Did not accept poverty, ignorance, inequality as facts of life

Revolutions • Ideas about power, authority inspired reforms and revolutions • American colonists inspired to break free from British monarchy • Colonists strongly influenced by political views of Locke, Rousseau

Enlightenment and Revolution

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